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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

{;iiap. Oopyrig-ht iVo. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



In Cloisters Dim. 

....By.... 

/ 

Cbarles gum fiabn. 



«««« 



Second and enlarged Edition. 



««»« 



fl. C. Stonccvpbcr, Omaha, neb. 



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77G15 

Library or Cont|re«ia| 

Two Co«M£S REftivEO ; 
NOV 19 1900 

Copyright entry 

SECOND COPY 

Oelivcred to 

ORDER DIVISION 
NOV 2;=} IQnf) 



Copyrighted, 1900, by C. C. Hahn. 



The Monk's Prayer. . . 

After Many Years 

And Thou, Too, "^qslXy Heart. Must Wait 
O Calm, Sweet Face, ... 

My Crucifix . . 

The Angelus 

The Chain of Our Sins 

It Seems So Far to Climb to God. . 

Septuagesima 

Ash Wednesday, 

Sweet Peace is Born, . . 

In the Cathedral 

When We Heard Stabat Mater, 
The Vesper Hymn of the Nuns, 

Qui Vive, 

A Dream of Solitude, . . 

The Deposed Priest, 

The Three Voices, . . 

A Daughter of Canaan, 

The Monk and the Mother Bird, 

The Angels and the Child, 

An Old Cradle Hymn, .... 

The Children Are Coming Home, . 

Asleep, 

The Two-Faced Death 

The Monk's Vision 

Ringing 'Cross the Weary Years, . 



9 
15 
21 
29 
35 
,39 

53 
59 
t\, 
71 
, 77 
93 
. 99 
105 
1U9 
113 
121 
127 
137 
145 
153 
1 6 / 
163 
167 
171 
179 



Cbe monk's Prayer. 



In Cloisters Dim. 11 



One eve I knelt in a Franciscan church, 
And one, I need not name, beside n:ie knelt 
And prayed. The twilight cast a sacred gloom 
O'er nave and chancel. Sculptured saint, 

and saint 
In painting, shadowy, spirit-like, appeared. 
Her face alone shone clear and angel-like. 
And, looking upward to the one red light 
Which burned before the Host, a tender light 
In her own face, betokened angel smiles. 
The sound of children chanting childhood's 

hymns 
Of praise to Mary, floated down from stalls 
Up near the holy place. Two monks in cowls 
And girded with the three-fold cord, before 
The altar knelt in silent prayer, She, too. 



12 In Cloisters Dim. 



Dear one, prayed, silent. Heart told heart 

she prayed 
For me. 

O, love, long since in Paradise! 
This night 1 vigil keep and kneel alone 
Where once those brothers knelt. O, love. 

lost love! — 
As, walking through fair vales of rest with 

Him 
In sacrament adored that eve by us, 
Thou lookest down upon a priest in prayer — 
Rememb'ring him who loved, and loving died 
To all the world for thee — this night, my 

saint. 
My loved one! pray for him who knelt with 

thee. 



J\m many Vears. 



In Cloisters Dim. 17 



The peace of God has come to me at last ! 

At peace, I kneel before the sacred throne. 

At peace, at last! Through stormy days I've 

passed. 

But through the storm I've come unto my 

own. 

My own? Yes, yes. For peace is mine, and 
peace 
Is all that God gives unto man. O peace 
Of God! thrice blessed does it come to one 
Who for long years from sin has sought 
release. 

1 wandered long in search of rest and peace; 
Bright crowns of glory were within my 
grasp; 



In Cloisters Dim. 



But as I touched them, all were turned to 
dust, 
And faded from my eager, fevered clasp. 

But now I'm thine! Holy Mother, hear 
And bless thine erring son who, at the last. 

Has come unto thy shelter to seek rest; 
Count not against him, evil days he's 
passed. 

The sun shines brighter 'gainst the convent 
walls; 
The green of trees is greener in the wood. 
The flowers bloom brighter, and it seems as 
if 
Through all the world there shines a beam 
of good. 



In Cloisters Dim. 19 



The joy of peace! the joy of peace! By me, 
The seeking one, is found in cloisters dim. 

The path I've chosen is apart from men; 
And with the angels I now walk with Him. 

In cloisters dim I now do know that when 

I lived a worldling and loved not the things 
To which men think it best to give their 
strength; 
That all was naught to what thio cloister 
brings. 

The peace of God has come to me at last 1 
Within these convent walls of rough-hewn 
stone 
I'll live. No thought of earth or what I've 
left 
Shall thrill my soul. I walk with God 
alone. 



HM Cbou, Coo, Weary 

mn, must m\i 

'0 tarry thou the Lord's leisure. Be strong, and He 
shall comfort thy heart. —Psalm xxvii. 



In Cloisters Dim. 23 



"To wait." Epitome of life 
Is bound up in those words. No one. 
Not e"en the youth, with sturdy step. 
And proud design fair fame to win, 
But's learned already what it is: 
To do, to hope, and then to wait. 

A fid thou, too, weary heart, must wait. 

The busy man of trade, who sends 
His ships o'er oceans wide to lands 
In other climes, knows well the words: 
To wait and hope, to wait and fear. 

And thou, too, weary heart, must wait. 

The statesman, scholar, poet, priest. 
Sends out his venture on the sea 
Of life, and then must wait, and wait, 
Long days, long months, it may be years. 



24 In Cloisters Dim. 



Before the hoped-for sails return. 

For though he works, he still must wait. 

And thou, too, weary heart, must wait. 

The man who lives beneath a cloud, 
On whom the world in scorn looks down. 
Tho' sinning worse than he ; the man 
Who sinned, but penitent, confessed; 
The man who doubts, and in the dark 
Is groping for a stronger faith; 
The man in pain, in heart pain sore, 
Who mourns the loss of friends or hopes. 
Whose weary days are spent in prayer — 
At morn for night, at night for morn 
Again; — all these have learned to wait; 
To wear brave smiles, and wait, and wait; 



In Cloisters Dim. 25 



The innocent until the cloud 
Is lifted from his weary life; 
The penitent, forgiveness, peace; 
The doubting one, a purer faith; 
The man in pain,, a healing balm. 

And thou, too, weary heart, must wait. 

Must wait. For what? 

From out the clouds 
A heavenly voice makes answer thus: 
"It is the leisure of the Lord." 
O fainting heart ! Look up, rejoice ! 
Ye are not left alone to grieve. 
It is His leisure that ye wait. 
When He is ready He will come. 
And dash aside the grief and pain. 



26 In Cloisters Dim. 



He wishes you to wait, O heart 
Tried long and sore distressed — look up. 
It is His leisure. So be strong, 
And He will cheer thy heart — 

But thou, too, weary heart, must wait. 

It will not be forever. God 

Is looking down in tender love; 

He knows the time when you can bear 

The sunlight shining through the clouds. 

And clouds will break when His time comes. 

All things are governed by His hands, 

And waiting will not last for aye. 

And at the end, the sunshine clear 

Will drive away the doubt and pain; 

Will shine upon thy dreary life. 

And God Himself shall cheer thy heart. 

But thou, too, weary heart, must wait 



€aliti, Sweet Tace. 



In Cloisters Dim. 31 



The power of thy cahn face is greater than 
The word of priest or prayer of holy saints. 
With it before me, strong am I and great; 
Without thy face, my spirit droops and faints. 



And can God frown if thou lead on to Him 
The soul that sought for peace, and through 

thy face, 
Was lifted to a higher aim in life, 
And, led by thee, passed on from sin to 

grace? 

Can He condemn, if, loving thee, I seek 
To reach the pureness of the saints above: 
Though I not travel in the way He taught, 
But live pure life because I thee do love? 



■32 In Cloisters Dim. 



calm, sweet face, thou art the power that 

moves 
My soul to emulate the saints above. 

1 shun the evil, choose the good, because 
Thy face is good and thy pure face 1 love. 

So strong a power it hath unon me still 
In all the trials of this life below, 
It cannot fail to lead me onward, 'till 
In it I see the light of heaven glow. 



mv Crucifix. 



In Cloisters Dim. 37 



I kneel and raise Thee to my lips, 
I kiss Thy wounded side; 
I kiss Thy hands, Thy feet, each wound 
Made for the great world wide. 

Naught else I kiss in this great world; 
My, heart is wrapt in Thee; 
But the pain within my wounded side 
None but my God can see. 



Cbe Hngelus. 



"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; 
blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the 
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of 
God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our 
death. —The Angelus. 



In Cloisters Dim. 41 



I. 



Pausing, kneeling in the morning, 

As the day begins; 
Pausing, praying at the noontide, 

Midst toil's noisy dins; 
Pausing, praying in the evening. 

Weary of our sins! 



'Round the world the trembling prayer 

Is a never-ending cry. 
From the hearts of loving children. 

To the Virgin Queen on high. 

II. 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, 
The Lord is with thy soul ! 



42 In Cloisters Dim. 






Bless'd above all women 






While eternity shall roll, 








Ave! 


Ave! 


Hail, Mary! hear thy child: 






Full of sin am 1; 






But with loving heart 1 turn 






Unto thee and cry 








Ave! 


Ave! 


Holy Mary, Mother of God! 






Near to Him we praise, 






Pray to Him for me, thy ch 


ild. 




In these evil days. 








Ave! 


Ave! 



In Cloisters Dirrt. 43 



Novo, for I need thy help! 

Now, in this sinful life! 
Now, when the waves beat high! 

Now, in this weary strife! ■ 

Ave! Aief 

Pray for me now, O mother dear. 

In my earthly days. 
On me in thy pity look. 

In this dreary maze, 

Ave! Ave! 

And when death's deep waters roll 

Dark waves pver me, 
Still, sweet saint, 1 bid thee pray, 

Star of a stormy sea! 

Ave! Ave' 



44 



In Cloisters Dim. 



]II. 



Thus we wreathe the day with "Aves," 

Singing to the Virgin pure; 
Lauding her whom God hath chosen 

Full of grace while time shall dure. 
Ave! Ave! 



De Cbain of Our $in$. 



"Though we b"^ tied and bound by the chain of 
our sins." 



In Cloisters Dim. 49 



At first, like dainty daisy chains 
Which children weave in happy hours, 
It lays its fetters over us — 
A chain so light, so beautiful, 

Its bands a child might break. 

A few years, and the chain becomes 
A little stronger — yet of gold; 
'Twould grace a lady's neck, its links 
A lady's hand could break. 

But years go by: the links have grown, 
The gold has changed to tempered steel. 
We lowly bend beneath the load, 
We fear to meet the gaze of men. 
Because they see the chain we bear. 
Respect for self and manhood gone, 



50 In Cloisters Dim. 



Ideals which once were ours, to turn 
Into the fairest of the reals, 
Forever gone — we slink along. 
Too late with our own hands to rend 
The chains which bind us to our sin; 
Too late for friends to break the links 
And set us free. But one, the Christ, 
Now has the power to shatter them. 
Then loose our chains, Lord, 
Though we be tied and bound. 



Tt $cem$ $0 Tar to 
€limb to 60(1. 



In Cloisters Dim. 



55 



It seems so far to climb to God: 
I am so low, and He so high, 
The way back to His holiness; 
It seems so far; I shall not try. 

It seems so far to climb to God; 
So many sins to cast away. 
So much of purity to gain, 
I cannot reach Him if I may. 

It seems so far to climb to God; 
I am so weak and He so great, 
I never can reach up to Him; 
I'll linger still outside the gate. 



It seems so far to climb to God; 
And yet God knows, and so He says. 



56 



In Cloisters Dim. 



"But one step at a time," and gives 
Strength unto us as are our days. 



So, step by step, He leads us up — 
A sin cast back, a virtue won — 
Until at last we stand by Him, 
Led up and saved by His own Son. 



$eptuagc$iina. 



Lest I become a castaway." 



In Cloisters Dim. 61 



This solemn Septuagesima, 
With force the lesson comes again, 
As with her warning voice the Church 
Calls to her courts all sorts of men, 
And bids them learn the way to God. 
I fast and weep, repent and pray, 
Lest having preached to others, I 
Should, hapless, prove a castaway. 

I voiced the call of Mother Church, 
To others preached the living word. 
I led the way for other men, 
I warned and others heard. 
And now, in fear and trembling sore, 
I kneel and weep and fast and pray; 
Lest having preached to others, 1 
Should, hapless, prove a castaway. 



62 In Cloisters Dim. 



Hear me, dear Lord, but this once more. 
Forgive my wandering steps, and lead 
Me back into Thy fold, and give 
Full strength Thy loving voice to heed. 
And may 1 keep my body down, 
My soul grow stronger day by day; 
Lest having preached to others, I 
Should, hapless, prove a castaway. 

Upon my knees I vow this day, 
With Thy dear grace, to break the bands 
Which bind me to the world and sin; 
The future leaving in Thy hands. 
But keep my body under. Lord: 
This day 1 humbly kneel and pray; 
Lest having preached to others, 1 
Should, hapless, prove a castaway. 



JTsb iUednesday. 



"Remember, man, from dust thou art; to dust thou 
must return." 



In Cloisters Dim. 67 



"Remember, man," the Holy Church in sol- 
emn cadence speaks, 

As, clothed in penitential garb, she bids us 
humbly learn 

By prayers, and tears, and fastings oft, the 
road to Calvary; 

"Remember, man, from dust thou art, to dust 
thou shalt return." 

The grave and death, the Mother Church bids 

us now contemplate, 
On this first day in which she calls us from 

the world apart, 
To tread with her the weary way again to 

Calvary, 
And watch beneath our dying Lord — gaze on 

his pierced heart. 



68 In Cloisters Dim. 



"Remember, man," from out the world, with 

solemn steps, she leads 
Down deep into the Lenten vale; the cross in 

ashes traced 
Upon our brows, in token that to dust we 

must return; 
And yet, before Lent pass away, that thought 

must be effaced. 

For through the Lenten gloom there comes 

a thought of Easter day. 
Which even now is struggling through the 

darkness of the night. 
Our hearts are turned towards death that 

we may reach the dying Christ, 
And by the road to Calvary be led to Easter 

light. 



In Cloisters Dim. 73 



There is no life in which there is 

No weeping Lent. 
Each year we find a new made grave 

Till life is spent. 

There is no life but has its pain, 

Each life its cross. 
There is no soul, however blessed, 

Sin may not toss. 

There is no life but has its pain, 

Each life its tomb; 
The light of weary hearts goes out, 

And leaves but gloom. 

In Lent I prayed for you this prayer— 
"May all thy loss 



74 



In Cloisters Dim. 



Lead thee but nearer to 
The stained Cross." 



Biit at the end of Lenten gloom 

Comes Easter morn; 
The Cross is bare, the grave unlocked, 

Sweet peace is born. 



In Cloisters Dim. 79 



r^tbc Hvrie.'' 



Slowly in the chancel marching. 
Censers swinging, tapers gleaming, 
Come the white-robed altar servers, 
Followed by dalmaticked deacons, 
Followed by the priests in vestments. 
Lo! they pause before the Altar, 
Knees are bent before Christ's earthly 
Throne on which He waits for worship. 
Waits for man's true adoration. 
Waits to bless him, waits to give him 
Consolation, peace of Heaven. 

Softly from the lofty choir 

Down come stealing plaintive voices 

Pleading, "Mercy, Lord, have mercy, 



80 In Cloisters Dim. 



Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy;" 
While the priest before the Altar 
Pleads in lowly tones forgiveness 
For the sins of priest and people; 
Throbbing hearts are also praying 
To the strains the choir is singing, 
With the words the priest is praying; 
"Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; 
Loose us, let our sins flee from us!" 
Each heart for its own sin pleading. 
O'er the whole, the wild cry stealing 
Of the choir in tones of minor 
Singing in the old Greek language. 
With the words which now for ages 
In the Christian Church has opened 
Mass, the sacrifice of Jesus, 
Each heart beats with silent sadness, 




Tn the €att)cdral. 



In Cloisters Dim. 



And as dies the last faint cadence. 
And the echoes leave the arches. 
Silence falls upon the people. 

Silence for a single instant, 

Then the celebrant upraising 

Voice in joyful adoration, 

Sings the carol of the angels, 

Sings the songs of Saints and Martyrs, 

"Gloria in excelsis Deo." 



82 In Cloisters Dim. 



r*«Cbc Gospel. v^ 

Near the credence there's a movement, 
Priests and servers, silent, grouping: 
Then the march across the chancel, 
Brilliant, solemn; sacred pageant, 
Led by thurifers in scarlet; ' 
Swinging censers filled with incense, 
Sending upwards clouds of perfume. 
Which, about the Altar circling, 
Catch the rays of sunlight falling 
From the richly colored windows 
High up in the chancel arches. 
Pause they at the northern corner 
Of the Altar, where the deacon 
Rev'rently intones the gospel; 
And the worshippers, all standing, 
Make the sign of faith upon them; 





In Cloisters Dim. 




On the lips, the breast, the forehead, 




As a solemn consecration 




Of their intellects for knowing, 




Of their lips for truly speaking, 




Of their hearts for true believing. 




Quietly the group disperses 




As the sacred words are ended. 




And the celebrant commences 


• 


"Credo," "1 believe" — the symbol 




Of the Christian faith for ages. 




In its circle is the substance 




Of the faith once taught by Jesus, 



83 



Which His Church has kept unchanged 
Since the apostles of Judea 
Heard it from their heavenly Teacher; 
And for ages it's been ringing, 
Daily ringing, without ceasing. 



In Cloisters Dim. 



Following 'round the earth the sunlight 

As it falls in early morning, 

Till the whole round world is girded 

With the "I believe" of Christians 

In the same words, in the language 

It was sung in Roman caverns 

By the infant Church's martyrs: 

I believe in God the Father, 

Jesus, Son of God, from whom came 

Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier. 

"Incarnatus est," the choir 
Sings in strains of tender sweetness, 
And the people, kneeling, worship 
God the Son, for us incarnate; 
While the singers, oft repeating, 
Dwell upon the theme so glorious, 
"Incarnatus, incarnatus. 



In Cloisters Dim ^ P5 



Homo factus est,"' the singers 
Always chosen from the women; 
For as through her came man's sinning 
So the church has always granted 
That she sing the birth of Jesus — 
And her part in man's redemption. 

"I believe," again confessing 
Faith in Christ, and in His body, 
Holy Church, the creed continues, 
"Holy Catholic, Apostolic; 
In one washing for remission 
Of the sins of her own children; 
And a glorious resurrection 
And a life with God in heaven." 



In Cloisters Dim 



r^tbc Sanctus.v-% 

Quietly the priests and servers 
Gather at their proper stations, 
While the celebrant devoutly 
Reads the prayers of intercession 
Prefacing the Consecration, 
And, low bowing towards the Altar, 
Kneel the people, while the "Sanctus," 
Thrice sung glories to the Godhead, 
Fills the church with strains of sweetness 
Chastened to the sad occasion; 
Seraphim the song uplifting 
Bear it from the earthly Altar 
To the Altar in the heavens. 
Where the Son is ever pleading. 

As hosannas, oft repeated, 
Die away, and silence follows, 



In Cloisters Dim. 87 



Low, with reverent voice, the Canon 
Of the Mass is whispered, while the • 
Mystic sign, the Christian emblem, 
Marks and marks again the wafer 
And the red wine in the Chalice. 

Silence, death-like silence, reigns now, 
For the death of God is symboled. 
And for us the Crucifixion, 
With its sadness— and its glories — 
Pleads for us as man could never 
Plead with God for our forgiveness. 
Silence reigns, and from the people, 
Kneeling lowly, whispering Aves, 
Comes no tremor, comes no rustle, 
To disturb the holy silence 
Brooding o'er the tomb of Jesus. 



In Cloisters Dim. 



Save half-stifled sobs of anguish 
Which the weary laden cannot 
Longer hold within their bosoms, 
As they see their Savior hanging 
On the cruel cross, derided; 
See Him for their own sins dying; 
Save the heart sobs of the weary, 
Not a sound disturbs the stillness. 
Monster organ pipes are silent, 
Singers kneel and ga,ie awe-stricken 
Towards the altar where the solemn 
Death scene of the great world's Savior, 
Sadly, solemnly is shown forth. 

Hush! the Savior is approaching; 
Hear His footsteps drawing nearer; 
Angels fill the cloudy chancel: 



In Cloisters Dim. 89 



In the curling smoke of censers, 
Angels kneel and veil their faces, 
As the Son of man draws nigh them. 

Hark! a deep- toned bell resounding 
Breaks the awful, painful stillness. 
Christ is come: His throne, the Altar! 
On their knees both priest and people 
Prostrate low in adoration, 
Loud the great pipes of the organ 
Swell forth notes of joy triumphant. 
Hallelujahs fill the arches, 
And in one united chorus, 
Jesus Christ, the conquering Savior, 
On His earthly throne is greeted 
With the songs and adorations, 
With the praise of men and Angels, 
In hosannas oft repeated. 



90 In Cloisters Dim. 



Softly then the music changes 
From triumphant into pleading 
And the Agnus Dei follows 
With its "dona nobis pacem," 
Plaintive cry of man to heaven 
For the peace God only giveth. 



Mass is ended, priests departed, 
And the church is left in silence. 
Near the Altar burns a red light. 
Token that the Holy Presence 
Still abides for peace and blessing. 
And around it angels, kneeling 
Guard their Lord's most sacred Body. 
Every Altar where the Host is, 
Doubly guarded is by Angels. 



(Uben (Ue l^eard Stabat 
mater. 



In Cloisters Dim 95 



The great church, with its high-arched nave 
Its altars, and its sculptored saints. 
Was thronged with people on the night 
That we heard Stabat Mater. 

The sacred Host had been removed. 
And we, within the chancel rail. 
Beneath the shadow of a shrine, 
Awed into silence, sat that night. 

A soft prelude; and then the song 
Of that sad mother 'neath the cross 
Of her dear Son. who died for man. 
Came floating downward unto us; 

Like Mary's broken hearted cry. 
As tender woman's voice was heard; 
Now like the sobbing of the world, 
As full bass chorus filled the church. 



96 In Cloisters Dim. 



Each word repeated in that hymn 
First sung long centuries ago, 
Until it beat into our hearts, 
And we could see that awful Cross, 
The mother kneeling at its foot. 

Around us, grouped in various shrines, 
Were ghostlike marble forms of saints, 
Which calmly looked upon the scene, 
As if content because they heard 
The weeping Mother's ancient hymn. 
As long as life may last, that scene. 
That throng of people, shrine and saints, 
The melodies, the choruses. 
Can never be forgotten quite. 
For happiest memories e'er will cling 
Around that night, so sad but dear. 
When we heard Stabat Mater, 



Cbe Uesper l)yiiin of tbe 
nuns. 



l.efC. 



In Cloisters Dim. 101 



Just outside the convent portal, 

With a gUmpse of chapel dim, 
Where the black robed nuns were kneeling 

For their daily Vesper hymn, 

We two paused upon the threshold, 

Listening to the voices sweet; 
Pure ones to the Virgin singing 

Songs with purity replete. 

Yet without the convent, standing 

By my side, was one as pure 
As the sisters chanting sweetly 

Of the joys which saints allure. 

Sweet and pure as was the music 

Of the sisters' evening song; 
Purer, sweeter was the singing 

In her heart that knew no wrong. 



102 In Cloisters Dim. 



And each day, I find most sacred 
Vesper song that e'er could be, 

In the beating of her pure heart — 
Sweetest of all songs to me! 



In Cloisters Dim. 107 



By day and night the sentinel 
Treads to and fro the picket line 
To guard the bivouacked men. 
And at the slightest sound of steps, 
"Qui Vive?" the challenge sharply rings. 
Ah, well, if then the answer come, 
"A friend," and whispered countersign 
Is followed by, "A friend. Pass on." 

The heart behind its picket lines 
Oft hears its sentry's challenge ring, 
•'Qui Vive?" as strangers pass; and waits 
Half hoping, half in fear, that this 
May prove the looked-for, unknown one 
With countersign to pass the guards. 
And so we tremble, yet half hope 
To hear the cry, "A friend, pass on." 



H Dream of Solitude. 



In Cloisters Dim. 1 1 1 



A dream of solitude! 

A great wide sea, 
With restless waves beneath a far-off sky! 
But sea and sky! No ship, no land, no voice. 
Not e'en a stormy petrel's plaintive cry. 

A dream of solitude! 

A city great! • 
I walk amid a crowd of men unknown. 
The world is full of voices, yet not one 
Doth call my name. A crowd! And yet alone! 

A dream of solitude! 

Where men clasp hands 

In seeming f riendship,yet with hearts unstirred , 

While the one hand I love is ne'er reached out 

To touch my own. The voice best loved 

ne'er heard. 




Cijl<)lH! i'.^!'> >i!ctu rcacc. 



Cbe Deposed Priest. 



In Cloisters Dim. 1 15 



At close of day I wandered to this church, 
Whose crosses high tower upward towards 
the sky. 

Within is silent peace. On each side hang 
The prints which show to -faithful ones the 

marks 
Of Jesus' feet to Calvary. And here 
And there, beside a dusky column, stands 
An image, which, upon the walls, or o'er 
The pews, its deeper shadow casts. So dark 
Is it that angels in the stained glass 

Have disappeared beneath the great world's 

night. 
'Tis evening darkness, when one loves to pray. 
And, far above, the long-ribbed arches bind 
The holy stillness in. Away beyond, 

The same still darkness holds the chancel 
deep. 



1 16 In Cloisters Dim. 



A lonely place! And yet the red light clear 
Which hangs, star like, beneath the altar arch, 
Gives token of a Presence with which none 
Can lonely be. 

And I a priest, yet not 
A priest, "neath cover of the dusk slip in 
To gaze upon that gentle light, and kneel 
Before that altar at which, years ago, 
1 stood with unbound priestly powers — God's 

priest, 
To elevate the Body of my Lord 
For men to kneel and venerate. 

The power 
Is with. me still, for I, deposed, am still 
A priest. But use it — that I may not now. 
And so, when all the church is dim at eve, 
I slip in at the open door to kneel 



In Cloisters Dim. 117 



Where once I stood! 

The darkness deepens. None 
Will see me now. The dust upon the floor 
Is fitting token of my humbleness. 
The priest before his God! The priest de- 
posed! 
Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison! Will 
He hear? O Jesus! loose these bands which 

bind, 
And grant that, once before I die, some act 
As priest 1 be allowed to do. For driest. 
In Thy sight, know 1 that 1 am, tho" man 
And Church have laid their ban upon me. 

Hark! 
What sound is that? Another supplicant? 
The door was opened while I prayed, and one, 
A poor, decrepit beggar, has come in. 



In Cloisters Dim. 



He falls beside me, and he says, "Father, 
The priest is gone, and I am near to death. 
Oh, shrive me of my sin." 

The priest is gone, 
The man will soon be dead, and is his soul. 
All stained with sin, unfit to meet its God? 
Is not mine own? 

1 must not think of that. 
Shall this soul pass away without the peace 
Which only Holy Church can give? No! No! 
"Here, rest thy head upon my arm and tell 
Thy grief, lonely man, for 1 am poor 
And lonely too. Yet I can help thee. Tell 
Me all that burdens thy poor heart, and I 
Will help thee." 

Prone upon the dusty floor. 
Beneath the clear red light, he lay, and told 



In Cloisters Dim. 1 19 



His tale of sin and sorrow, and when done, 
I rose and gave him absolution, and 
He died. 

What was my prayer? To die a priest! 
I am a priest, and God has given me what 

I sought. "Christe eleison, eleison, Chris" 

When morning came two corpses lay within 
The chancel gate. The one, the beggar; and 
Beside him lay the priest — a priest deposed! 
But God had heard his prayer. 



De Cbree Uoice$. 



In Cloisters Dim. 123' 



"I will not die." A feeble voice comes forth — 
Scarce heard amid the rumbling of the wheels 
Of time — forth from a tenement of clay. 
Weak man protesting 'gainst the giant Death! 

"But thou shalt die," rolls in the mighty 

wave 
Of voices which like ours have cried for life; 
Of voices from the other world beyond, 
The deep cry of the past eternity. 
"The fate that comes to all must come to 

thee, 
And thou shalt die. * * * * 

All nature dies, and e'en 
The angels 'round God's throne may die — a 

death 
Not like to thine, the sev'ring of a soul 



124 In Cloisters Dim. 



From earthly prison whence it flees with joy — 
But death eternal, sev'rance from their God, 
And thou, O man: thou, too, must die." 

"O death, I fear thee," comes again the 

voice 
Of feeble man, in trembling tones. 

And then 
A Voice is heard re-echoing down the years, 
Voice full of sweetness, like soft music on 
The evening air. "The resurrection and 
The life am I." 

O, death, where is thy sting? 
O , grave, where is thy vict'ry? Man shall live! 



In Cloisters Dim. 129 



The plains of Canaan ne'er saw sun as mild 
Nor verdure green as when a Canaan mother 

clasped 
Her daughter, first born, to her heart and 

thanked 
The gods that so much earthly bliss washers. 

But as the days passed into weeks, the weeks 
To months, and months to years, the mother 

saw 
Her only child, her daughter well beloved. 
Was not like other children, but, as in 
Those early days of childlike faith and trust, 
They said was vexed by a devil sore. 

Long sorrowed this poor mother, till she heard 
That to the Jews, her neighbors, Christ had 
come. 



130 In Cloisters Dim. 




Then said she to herself, "If he is God, 




I am his child as well as favored Jew, 




And unto Him I'll plead for my dear child." 


The Christ was coming to their coast. 


The 


news 




Was heralded through all the land, and 


she. 


Poor mother, wrapped up in her child, 


went 


forth 




To meet the Master and implore His 


help. 


She saw the crowd, the holy twelve, and One, 


Who humble and most meek appeared. 


Not 


like 




The God she dreamed of. But in her 


sore 


grief 




She called to Him.by that name known to all, 



In Cloisters Dim. 131 



'0 Son of David, hear me, mercy give, " 
Grant me Thy help, although I am not one 
Of Thine own people, but I plead, if Thou 
Art God, Thou art the God of Caanan as 
Thou art of all the world. Have mercy, 
Lord." 

But that calm Man walked calmly on as if 
He heard her not. Again she cried, and then 
Those twelve plucked at His robe and said, 

"Dost see? 
This woman crieth after us; send her 
Away, if Thou canst not give her relief." 
For they knew not that he was come to all 
The world, as well as them. Then Jesus 

turned 
And said: "But to the lost sheep of the house 



132 In Cloisters Dim. 



Of Israel am I sent." He paused, and she, 
In growing confidence, drew near and knelt 
Beside Him, and His garment raised unto 
Her lips. 

"Lord, help me!"' 

Were the only words 
Her lips could utter. But He answered her, 
"It is not meet to take the children's bread 
And cast it unto dogs." 

Harsh words were these 
To come from loving Son of God to one 
Whose heart was crushed with sorrow's heavy 

load. 
A dog! Because not of the chosen race. 
No hope is there from God for her. But she. 
With calm persistence of a mother's love, 
Still knelt and answered: 



In Cloisters Dim. 133 



"Yea, Lord, true! 
Yet even dogs do eat the crumbs that fall 
From off their master's table," 

Not a word 
In self-defense. The mother's heart was rent 
With anguish for her suffering child. A crumb 
Was all she asked; a fragment of the food 
The God-Man had. 

The Perfect One looked down 
Upon the kneeling woman, and His heart 
Was touched by faith like this. 

"0 woman, great 
Thy faith is! be it as thou wilt." 

She rose. 
And with no shadow of a doubt, passed on 
Unto her home, and found her daughter 

healed 
In that same hour. 



134 



In Cloisters Dim. 



O, weary, sinning ones, 
Whose hearts are crushed by sorrows heavy 

load! 
If you could kneel in faith, and beg the 

crumbs 
From off the Master's table, much of sin 
And sorrow from your hearts would flee. 



.In Cloisters Dim. 139 



With Lenten ashes on his brow 
The holy abbot Kenach passed 
Far out through forests deep and wild 
Up to the rocky mountain side, 
To fast and pray in solitude 
The forty days of Lent. 

A mother bird had built her nest 
Beside the cave in which he dwelt 
Upon the lonely mountain side. 
One night a fierce storm raged around. 
The abbot in his tender heart 
Bethought him of the fragile nest, 
The storm about the mother bird. 

"Look out, my son, into the night," 
Unto his novice spake the monk, 
"See how the little mother fares." 



140 In Cloisters Dim. 



The novice looked and cried, "My lord, 
Lord abbot come! Lord abbot come!" 

They stood and gazed upon the storm 
Which hurled great trees against the rocks, 
And rocks rolled down the mountain side. 
But in the midst of dark and storm 
There shone a brilliant light; for there 
An angel stood with outstretched wings 
To shield the mother bird from harm. 

They stood and gazed till storm had passed, 
The angel faded into heaven. 
The stars appeared: the night was still. 

Next eve a woman with a child 
Toiled up the steep unto the cave, 
And seeing her the novice cried: 

"No woman may approach the place 



In Cloisters Dim. 141 



Where holy abbot Kenach dwells 
And keeps the Lenten fast!" 

"Nay," said the woman, "we but seek 
Protection from the threatened storm." 

The novice, with uplifted hands. 
But answered harsh, "Away, begone!" 

"Did not the Lord Christ die for me? 
A man betrayed Him with a kiss; 
A woman stood beneath His cross. 
Twas man who smote Him with a reed; 
A woman wiped His blood stained face; 
And in the garden woman knelt 
In faith to kiss His feet. Twas man 
Who thrust his hand into His side. 
Shall not His heav'n be open to me? 
Yet you would drive me to my death." 



142 In Cloisters Dim. 



Then Kenach came from out the cave 
And blessed the woman, led her in; 
Then, turning to the novice, spake: 
"The mother bird, an angel saved." 



Next morn, the mother and her child 
Rose and departed. When she reached 
The entrance of the cave, she turned: 
"My Son bids me," the mother said, 
"Thank you." Both looked up at the words. 
And fell upon their faces, for 
A heavenly glory shone around 
The mother and the child. And in 
The left hand of the Infant lay 



In Cloisters Dim. 143 



A golden image of the world, 

And with His right He traced a cross, 

And blessed the monks and smiled. 



Cbe HngeU and m ChM. 



In Cloisters Dim. 147 



Alone a little maiden dwelt, 

An orphan maid, within a hut 

Far out upon a lonely road, 

Away from other homes. And those 

Who passed along that way, at night, 

Gave strange reports of what they saw: 

Bright lights, too bright for human power, 

Shone out from crevices around 

The door and window, all night through. 

And so they called the maid a witch. 

The vicar was the last to hear; 
But when the tale came unto him. 
He asked the maid of what she did, 
Those long nights when the light was seen. 

"As soon as 'tis too dark to work, 
I fasten tight the door," she said, 
"And after supper cover up 



In Cloisters Dim. 



The fire upon the hearth, blow out 
The rushHght, and creep into bed." 

"And do you never say your prayers?" 

"I know not any proper prayer, 
But say a song my mother taught," 
The maid replied with downcast eyes. 

"God bless this house from thatch to floor, 
The twelve apostles guard the door, 
And four good angels watch my bed, 
Two at the feet and two at the head. 

Amen!" 
"There could not be a better prayer, 
Dear child," the vicar, smiling, said; 
"Repeat it every night, and God 
Will surely keep you from all harm." 



In Cloisters Dim. 149 



That night the vicar softly stole 
From out the village to the house 
Upon the moor, where dwelt the maid, 
"A lonely place; she but a child!" 
He murmured as he walked along. 
But when he came anear the hut, 
A shock ran through his frame, for there 
A bright light streamed from half-closed blinds. 
And round the house he saw strange forms. 

He hastened on, but as he reached 
The gate before the little cot. 
He paused in awe, for he discerned 
That those about the house were men 
In ancient garb. One held a lance; 
Another leant upon a staff; 
A third, an ax uplifted bore; 
Beside a fourth a lion crouched; 



150 In Cloisters Dim. 



An eagle rested near the fifth; 
And one, of tall majestic mien, 
Held two large keys within his hand. 

But as he ga^ed they disappeared. 
And naked sword, in unseen hand. 
Was stretched across his path. 

"Beware!" 
A solemn voice in warning spake; 
"It is the light of angels. Look, 
And blindness falls upon thee, as 
It did on me, when, ages gone, 
1 traveled the Damascus road." 

';Let me but look!" the vicar cried; 
"One glance at angels, then let night 
Forever dwell about mine eyes." 

The sword was lowered, and he passed 
Up to the shuttered window, where 



In Cloisters Dim. 151 



He stooped and gazed. 

A rude bed. there; 
A sleeping child; a homely room; 
But at each corner of the bed 
An angel stood, with outstretched wings, 
To guard the sleeping maid from harm. 



Hn Old €radle=l)ynin. 



In Cloisters Dim. 155 



"Now I lay me down to sleep," 

Sleepily the baby said. 
Nearer yet the blue eyes close — 

Lower sinks the curly head. 

"Now I lay me down to sleep." 
Angels hover in the air. 

No such sleep as that where God 
Keeps the soul within His care. 




■ym^y 



f^-;<W'fe' 



■^^-W^K 







In Cloisters Dim. 159 



At the door of a vine-clad, low-roofed house, 
In the midst of an orchard full of bloom, 

A mother stands, at the close of day, 

And murmurs, "The children are coming 
home." 

And as she lingers with motherly love, 
To hear the babble of voices dear, 

Borne on the breeze from down the road, 
A merry troup from school draws near. 

A mother stands in the open door, 

A mother whose heart will forever yearn 

For the children who left her long ago — 
The boys and the girls who will never re- 
turn. 

A tear for the dead who peacefully sleep! 
A sigh for the living who somewhere roam! 



160 In Cloisters Dim. 



But pity profound for the mother there, 
Who will say no more, "They are coming 
home." 



In Cloisters Dim. 165 



"I'm sleepy," and the little one tired of play, 
Heated and weary on that summer day. 
Lies down to sleep on the door's low sill, 
And the hands are quiet, the voice is still. 
Ah! darling, tired of play before 'tis noon? 
Has life proven weary, alas, so soon? 
What will it be when the toil and the strife 
Shall come in the wearisome battle of life? 

Ah! could we but shield thee in coming years 
As easy as now from thy griefs and thy fears! 
If ever the storms of life would be still 
By laying the head on the old door sill! 
But the days of childhood glide away. 
And no kind hand can the mother lay 
On the sleeping head as the passing years 
Bring with them their burden of sorrow and 
tears. 



Cbe Cwo-Taced Death. 



In Cloisters Dim. 169 



Dread Death is near! I shudder at the sight! 
An evil form in dank and gloomy shroud! 
His face a horror, and his touch of ice! 
All dark and fearful is thy face, O Death! 

Death touches me! An instant and I pass 
From earthly to the ghostly world beyond; 
And looking back, I see him standing, still 
A sentinel upon the borderland. 
And, lo! his face is shining with the light 
Of evening stars. His shroud is luminous 

white; 
His face, the visage of God's angel, which 
Has touched, and turned me to the light. 
Twas but the earthly side I saw at first, 
Kept dark, because in shadow from the light 
Which shone full strong upon the heavenly 

side. 



Cbe monk's Uision. 



•Afar from earth I seemed to stand, and there 
This vision passed before my wondering eyes." 



In Cloisters Dim. 173 



The great, Allwise, Eternal, God was dead. 
The God of ages, God of might and power; 
The Mystic, Dread, I AM, Who through all 

time 
Ruled all the universe, lay still in death. 

The glorious symphony of earth and sky 
Had ceased, and deathlike silence reigned in 

heaven. 
In state the Monarch lay before the throne: 
His pall, a shining cloud of light, so bright, 
And yet so terrible that none dare turn 
His eyes upon the bier; and none dare lift 
The pall, and gaze on that great One, man 

thought 
Could never die. 

The deepest silence, then 
Came slowly, lowly, sadly, forth, the deep 



174 



In Cloisters Dim. 



Toned funeral march. The heav'nly choir 

was mute. 
The air itself of heaven broke forth and throb'd 
With low, sad, dirges for its King. Softly 
It came — • mysterious chanting, wild and 

weird — 
Ethereal, mystic symphonies; the Throne 
Of God itself was sobbing its lament. 
For without God, the very elements 
Broke into minor, sobbing notes of pain. 



Around our earth the storm of ages swept. 
All laws of nature were annulled, and all 
Restraint which held the elements was gone. 
The souls of those whose bodies were cor- 
rupt 



In Cloisters Dim. 175 



Blew here and there before the storm with 

moans, 
In deen despair, crying that God was dead; 
The sad refrain, in plaintive minor notes, 
That God, the King of Souls, was now no 

more. 

For God was dead! No power was there to 

stay 
The tempest nor the wave of dark despair. 
. E'en Satan, in the lowest depths of hell, 
That tempest feared, and bowed before the 

doom 
Which then approached him; for eternity 
Even in hell was now tenfold a curse; 
For even hell was held in place by God. 

Now souls would sweep through all eternity 



176 in Cloisters Dim. 



Before a storm which none could quell. 

Then suns 
Whirled into flaming suns; stars into stars; 
And earth, and suns, and stars, all sky and 
space 

Were one in wildest chaos. And man's soul 
Was left an aimless, helpless, suffering thing! 
The finite and infinite doomed for aye! 
And heaven was now no more: for heaven is 

God, 
And God was dead. 

III. 

Loud cried a voice from near 
The Throne — swift passed the bier on wheels 
of fire! — 

A flash of light shone through all space, and 
God 



In Cloisters Dim. 177 



Was borne to His last, mystic, resting place. 

And over all the sea and darkness rolled. 
Surrounding, guarding, holding down the mass 
Which now flew on through dark and crumb- 
ling space. 



Ringind '€rci$$ tbe Uleary 
Vears. 



In Cloisters Dim. 181 



Years ago the Christmas chimes 
Rang out over slopes of snow, 

From a church tower on a hill, 
To the village down below. 

And the chimes rang this refrain: 
"Christmas peace be thine today." 

Whispered came the loving prayer, 
"Christmas peace be thine alway." 

Young hearts beat with gladness then, 
As the chimes rang o'er the snow. 

In that village 'heath the hill, 
In the dreamlike long ago. 

Ringing 'cross the distant plains. 
Ringing 'cross the weary years, 



182 In Cloisters Dim. 



Christmas chimes that once brought 

joy, 
Christmas chimes that now bring 
tears; 

This same message may you bear 
To the village 'neath the hill, 

"Dear ones of the long ago, 

Christmas peace be with you still." 



NOV 19 1900 



